SCHOOLS and colleges all over England should receive education packs about bone marrow donation today – thanks to campaigning journalist Adrian Sudbury.

Examiner reporter Adrian, 27, died of leukaemia on August 20. He had spent his last few months campaigning for young people to be educated about bone marrow, blood and organ donation.

Now, his dream is to become a reality, as Give And Let Live education packs were sent out to every UK school and college yesterday.

The packs were accompanied by a letter from Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson, urging teachers to use the resources to educate their pupils about donation.

There is also an online resource for teachers at www.giveandletlive.co.uk

The packs were originally designed by NHS Blood and Transplant for 14 to 16-year-olds. But, after Adrian took his Sign Up For Sudders campaign to the two ministers, action was taken to revise the packs to make them accessible to the 17 to 18-year-old age group too.

Adrian felt educating this age group was key, because they were old enough to sign up to become donors.

The education packs have been designed to dispel myths about donation

When Adrian met Mr Balls and Mr Johnson in May, both pledged to do all they could to make sure schools and colleges support his campaign.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also backed the campaign and is in talks about producing a public information campaign, funded by the Department of Health.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: “Throughout Adrian’s illness he was incredibly brave and deeply committed to ensuring that something positive came from his experience. He was truly an inspiration.

“Adrian highlighted the need to educate young people about the importance of blood, organ, tissue and bone marrow donation.

By writing to every school in the country we hope to encourage teachers to make use of Give and Let Live and discuss and debate the issue with pupils.

“By raising awareness amongst young people of the difference being a donor can make, Adrian’s campaign will ensure that thousands of lives are saved.”